a quilt for me

06.08.2011

If you read my interview with Krista the other day, she asked a really great question: “What’s one skill or thing you’ve been wanting to make but haven’t?” It kind of stuck a chord with me, so I decided it was time to make a quilt for my own bed, a queen size quilt.

Why did I wait for so long? I guess I was scared of trying to quilt a queen size quilt on my machine. I hadn’t made a quilt that large before so the thought of going to all the work to make the quilt top and backing and then messing up the quilting just terrified me.

So I decided I was making the quilt just for me, meaning I wasn’t going to be concerned about what anyone else might think. I didn’t care if someone thought it was too simple. I didn’t care if someone wouldn’t like it. I made it for me and that makes me extremely happy knowing I accomplished something I thought I couldn’t do and had been too scared to try.

So I guess I’d like to challenge everyone out there

that’s reading this post:

Try something new.

Go out of your comfort zone. Learn a new technique, try using a zipper, make that quilt you’ve always wanted to make. You’ll be surprised how much you’ll learn even if it doesn’t turn out just as you’d imagined. Go for it and don’t let anyone stop you.

Well done, Anna!looks fancy! love it. But the most important that you made it for youself. I always have plans to make a dress or a PJs for myself but every time something goes wrong..like my daughter needs short to go fishing or she needs a skirt for the concert or my husband wishes for new kitchen towels:) I don’t mention some sewing I do for my shop. So….I’m very happy for you!

I am absolutely dying over the awesomeness of this quilt! Not only is it gorgeous, but it’s great that you decided to tAke a step outside of your comfort zone. Bravo, it worked so well I think you should make another one!

Awesome quilt! I wish people wouldn’t use “simple” as a bad word – simple is an aesthetic choice (and sometimes an expedient!).Anyhoo, I’m going to try and make some bibs this week from cotton fabric with iron-on vinyl. All new things Enjoy your lovely quilt!

oooh you should quilt and not care more often, this is simply beautiful!! I’m going to tackle a quilt for my bed as well. Now that I have a new machine I’m confident I can do it…well perhaps not that confident but I’ll do it anyway!

oh wow, anna, it’s SOOO beautiful! i can’t believe you quilted it on your regular machine – way to go! gotta admit too, i got very nervous seeing it dangle over the bridge michael-jackson-style. don’t drop that gorgeousness in the river! yipes!

Very beautiful … and inspirational! I have been drooling over that Loulouthi fabric, but was not sure what I would use such a large scale print for … but maybe I will make a quilt like you! Although I am not as ambitious, and may just make a throw …. Hugs, Sara @ thesplitstitch.com

Firstly, I LOVE, love, love this!!! It is gorgeous!! I’m also working on a queen size quilt in Loulouthi. Thanks so much for sharing the details on the fabrics. I have been looking for a good coordinating solid for a border and that yellow is perfect – might have to order some. And, you have inspired me to get going on mine…the design of mine is quite simple and should come together quickly, but I’m feeling really unsure about it b/c I’m just kind of winging it. : )

Your quilt is lovely! How did you find quilting a queen size on your machine? A couple of weeks ago I bought all the stuff to make a queen for our bed, but like you said, quilting something that size is just plain scary!

I never thought of using a big hunk of fabric unbroken that way, it’s lovely! I’d love more details on quilting such a large size on a normal machine-I’ve worked my way up to 45×60 with no problems and every quilt I make is just a little bit bigger, I’m prepping myself for a double or a queen!

You are a sewing hero of mine. I love the simple lines with the bold print. I am just now getting brave to try a quilt…small version first. I’ve been collecting fabric for a while, now I need to cut it…eek!

I adore your new quilt for you!! What wonderful fabric you chose. Cutting up such a wonderfully designed fabric would be a crime. I’ve often thought the way you did and I still don’t have a quilt. I don’t really like fussy quilts and I struggle to cut up pretty fabric. You’ve found the answer.

Your quilt turned out beautifully! The colors are so vibrant and I like the large color blocks. I’m brancing out – just ordered a serger and cannot wait to get it (but am a little scared of the dreaded threading process – lol)!

I found one of my first quilts and was just telling my daughter that Id like to take it apart, put new batting in it, and re-quilt it together.(over the years where I tied it came undone and the batting bunched, fell apart)

beautiful Anna. I have been eyeing up that new AMH fabric too. I have been trying to psych myself up to make some clothes for me for like a year! Other projects (that I know will turn out well) keep getting in the way! And yet, I don’t buy myself any cute tops b/c I keep thinking I will make one for myself!!!!!

I just love how you used the large patterned fabric for the center… Man… just looks awesome! I have been wanting to make a queen sized quilt for me for the longest time… this is giving me a kick in the pants!!!

It’s just so beautiful, Anna! I love that you said that you were making a quilt ‘YOU’ would like but not anyone else. That’s when you come up with really awesome projects that make you smile. I so want to make my quilt now

OH my goodness this is so gorgeous!! It is definitely not “too simple”. It is PERFECT. Actually, I find the quilts with larger blocks like this to be so much more modern and beautiful!! The ones with the intricate pieces are so busy sometimes. This one lets the stitching and the patterns/colors SHINE. I LOVE IT!! I hope to try this someday….

That is one of the prettiest quilts I’ve ever seen! Wow, I can’t believe you made such a big quilt on your machine, and it was your first?! Great job! You know, I’m very, very much a beginner. I’m teaching myself how to sew directly from your lovely projects. One day I will make my very own quilt too! I cannot thank you enough for inspiring me to learn this lifelong skill. Thank you. -Argelia

This is going in my file of saved blog posts, Anna. The quilt is stunning. Simply gorgeous. I think that going into a project with no expectations is such great advice. So glad you were brave enough to just go for it.

Wow – I absolutely love this quilt. I fell in love with that print from Anna Maria Horner the day I saw it for the first time and was thinking about the best way to work it into a quilt – and now I found it! This is SO going in my bed as well! Thanks für this beautiful inspiration!

I love how this turned out Anna! I definitely know what you mean about challenging yourself to do something you are wary about – I am planning to quilt my first twin size quilt this year (I have made a twin size quilt top but didn’t quilt it myself) and I’ll see how that goes! I would love to make myself a queen sized quilt someday

Oh my that is just gorgeous. I can’t decide if I like the front or the back better. It is amazing. I think I may have too try making a crib quilt. That would be out of my comfort zone. I technically have made a quilt before but since it was about 18 years ago it doesn’t really count.

Fabulous job! I too am working on my first quilt, and it has been a very steep learning curve. When I am done it I have two more quilts lined up to make, so hopefully it will get better with practice!Congratulations on a job wonderfully done! :o)

Gorgeous! Loulouthi hasn’t appealed to me yet, but now that I see this gorgeous quilt, I am beginning to have visions of the goodness in this line. Also, I love how you pieced large swatches of fabric together. Thanks for the encouragement to try something new!

That is so beautiful, and I am so delighted that my question pushed you to do it. You are so right that we should just try something new. How happy are you going to feel every time you walk into your bedroom and see that gorgeous thing?! Thanks for the inspiration Anna!

What a lovely quilt for yourself! I love AM’s line and still awaiting for my Loulouthi bundle to receive. I’ve never thought about using her large scale pattern fabrics “as is” without cutting up into the pieces, but always wondered about that as it’s shame to loose such beautiful pattern! I’ll need to make one for myself just like yours some time when I feel brave enought to make a larger quilt. I’ve made only up to the lap size with my machine. Thanks for a farbulous inspirations!!

I find this post absolutely inspiring <3! Your quilt is absolutely gorgeous. I really love the colors, fabrics and how you arranged everything!

I agree with what you said as well! I’ve been sewing for a couple of years and I always love to sew different things. I recently made a mini wall quilt and am just dying to make myself a twin size quilt using hourglass blocks

I’ll be sure to look back at this post for inspiration and encouragement! Wee!

I love this. I love coming back to your blog just to look at this quilt. It’s so simple and beautiful. I usually make quilts with lots of pieces but this one has got me thinking… Thank you for sharing it. It makes me smile!

Oh, so I guess that if I ever nab enough fabric for a quilt like this, my “try something new” would be a quilt like this.

Awesome! I’m not a quilter but I’m currently trying my first quilt! Deciding to only worry about what you think is so liberating! I love this quilt, part of my hesitancy to quilt is I hate cutting into all that beautiful fabric. Your quilt highlights the fabric so perfectly! Amazing!

Have you noticed that I’m just catching up on blogger tonight, lol? I looooove this so much! It is my favorite print that has come out in a long time. I just bought 4 yards of it to make curtains for my daughters room.

Oh gosh, Anna. I love every bit of this quilt and it’s bringing out my, previously unmet, inner Quilt Copier. Be done with the inspiration, I just want one EXACTLY like yours! Utterly stunning. Such a good way to show that central panel off too. x

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